Searching for talented musicians and performers is an art in and of itself. As a music producer, finding the right talent is essential for creating innovative and captivating soundscapes. Whether you're producing mainstream hits or experimenting with eclectic genres, you must have some A&R know-how to ensure you garner the right artists for the music you want to make.
Music producers employ a variety of methods and strategies to discover extraordinary talent. We'll delve into the online platforms and communities that serve as a haven for undiscovered artists, as well as the importance of networking and attending live performances.
Find out about the qualities and characteristics to look for in aspiring musicians, such as creativity, technical proficiency, and dedication, as well as how to approach artists and begin a working relationship.
What Is A&R?
A&R stands for “Artists & Repertoire.” This is a department in the music industry that finds talent for a production company, music label, or music publisher to sign. They also work with hired artists to nurture their talents and careers, acting as liaisons between the artists and producers.
A&R also does a lot of scouting. Talent scouting is a crucial aspect of the music industry. It involves identifying promising artists and nurturing their potential to create groundbreaking music. The ability to spot talent early on can give music producers a competitive edge, allowing them to shape the future of the artist(s) and/or the industry. A keen eye for exceptional musicianship and the ability to recognize unique qualities are essential for skillful talent scouting.
Qualities to Look for in Artists and Clients
When scouting for talent, producers look for artists who possess not only exceptional musical abilities but also qualities like drive and dedication, personality traits, creative attributes, and more.
Creative Style and Drive
Many people can come up with one or two great creative works in a spell of lucidity and artistic freedom. It’s difficult for people to remain creative and keep coming up with music that appeals to audiences while maintaining authenticity and soul.
Additionally, producers seek musicians who can bring a unique perspective and fresh ideas to their music. Originality and the ability to think outside the box are highly valued in an industry that thrives on innovation and experimentation.
It’s also important that producers and artists have similar artistic visions; an artist who wants to make Scandinavian-indie-folk-metal will not mesh with a producer who wants to make hit pop songs.
Creative and Technical Talent
Not everyone who makes music relies solely on talent; many people have worked really hard to become experts at their craft, regardless of their innate skills.
Producers must consider artists with a high amount of inborn talent as well as those who had to work and learn for years to develop their skillset and decide on a case-by-case basis if that artist shows promise for a creative future.
In short: Do they have what it takes to be a famous talent?
Technical Proficiency
Artists should have a good understanding of their tools, like instruments and vocal ability. Even if they could use some more training after being onboarded, an artist should already have enough expertise to begin working and developing their talents as soon as possible.
Even better is an artist with incredible skill and the ability to deliver an incredible performance, lending them a unique and advantageous position in the music industry.
Stage Presence
A marketable artist will have at least some comfort and showmanship on stage. They don’t have to be as confident and interactive as pop stars, but if they look distressed and display uncomfortable body language, it can really bring their entire reputation down no matter how well they play or sing.
Their stage presence can be developed to match their schtick; it doesn’t have to pander to the masses. But, no matter what, it needs to look and feel natural and confident.
Craft the sound around the artist, not the artist around the sound.
Quincy Jones
Media & Fan Interactions
In addition to a good performer persona, your client needs to be able to handle interactions with the press and fans. They should be able to have or develop healthy boundaries, especially if their fans are young and impressionable. Many people become deluded by any amount of fame and power and as a result, many make unhealthy choices regarding their relationships with fans. Ensure you advise your clients on how to avoid falling into this type of behavior.
They should also be able to talk with the media coherently and avoid causing scenes such as verbal or physical altercations, even when provoked.
Personality Meshing
The artists’ personalities need to, at least minimally, mesh well with the production team and anyone else they work with regularly. If you’re scouting artists to put a band together, all the band members need to have good chemistry.
Dedication to a Challenging Career
Perhaps the most important trait of a promising artist, dedication is necessary because being in the music industry is not all rainbows and butterflies. There will be a lot of rejection, insults, criticism, sleepless nights, creative blocks, frustration, possible mental anguish, endless practice and rehearsals, pressure, and more. An artist destined for a notable career can handle all this and more in pursuit of success, praise, recognition, financial abundance, feelings of achievement, and all the other positive things that come with successfully doing something really difficult.
Not everyone is cut out for a long musical career and they may give up after a few songs or an album or two. This is perfectly okay, but if you’re looking to scout someone to have a 30+ year musical career, you need to be able to recognize who is going to stick around and who will leave.
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Finding Talent - Where to Scout for Artists
Where do music producers and A&R people find new singers and new bands? There are a few different options where you can reliably search for talented instrument players, singers, and musical groups who may be looking for music producers.
Online Platforms
In today's digital age, the internet has become a powerful tool for discovering and showcasing talent. Online platforms such as SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and YouTube have revolutionized the way music is shared and consumed. These platforms provide a vast pool of undiscovered artists, making it easier for music producers to find talent from various genres and backgrounds.
SoundCloud, in particular, has emerged as a popular platform for artists to upload their original music and gain exposure. Producers can browse through a wide range of tracks, explore different genres, and connect with artists directly. Similarly, Bandcamp allows artists to sell their music directly to fans and provides a platform for producers to discover new talent.
Social Media
Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook also play a significant role in networking and building relationships. Producers can follow artists, engage with their content, and establish a rapport. It’s a great way to scope out new clients’ talent and personalities. Direct messaging and email communication are effective ways to initiate conversations and express interest in working together. Music producers online need to be connected with the music scene.
Many musicians have been introduced to producers by fans who send videos of their favorite performers to labels!
Local Music Scenes
Local music scenes are a great way to search for new talent in person. Local music producers often frequent live performances, open mic nights, and local music festivals to discover emerging artists. These events provide an opportunity to witness artists' stage presence, interact with them, and gauge their growth potential.
Networking
Building relationships with artists is a crucial aspect of talent scouting. Networking allows producers to establish connections with artists, understand their vision, and collaborate on future projects. Attending industry events, conferences, and workshops provides opportunities for producers to meet new artists and industry professionals.
How to Attract New Talent
To attract artists to work with you, you’ll need to do a few things to demonstrate your trustworthiness, skill, and your own talent. Artists want their producers to be good at their jobs, too, so they can start having the music career they dream of.
Create a Music Producer Website
Having your own website for your production business is essential; it serves the dual purpose of showing your own company’s portfolio and personality so the artists can decide if you’re a good match and allows artists to find you first, rather than rely on your approaching them.
Artists searching for a record producer will search for the best music producers in their area and even across the country who match their artistic stylings and creative visions.
Make sure your music producer website is up-to-date with your previous and current clients’ work, the type of sound you and your team specialize in making, your specific music production services, and the personal projects and notable accomplishments of your crew.
Emphasize Your Resume
Be sure to include your resume on your site and include your music producer degree in a related field, if you have one. List any certifications you’ve completed as well as any collabs or solo projects you’ve made. Talk about your experience in the music industry, how long you’ve been producing music, and what areas of the country you’re familiar with in terms of the music scene.
Provide links or embedded files that allow clients to listen to your work. You can talk about your favorite bands, equipment, music producer app, DAW, and more.
If you have any other notable hobbies or artistic talents, like art or sculpture, showcase that as well! You never know who you’ll resonate with when you put all of your repertoire out there!
Get Out There and Find Your New Musicians!
As a music producer, you’ll need to simultaneously attract new clients while scouting for talent. When artists looking for a producer and producers looking for artists link up, that’s when the magic can happen!
Ensure you sign with clients who are aligned with your personality and artistic visions so you can all make beautiful music together!
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